Mary walked out onto the porch, going to Henry. She wrapped her arms around Henry’s broad shoulders. His dark hand reached up and held her clasped hands.
“What you think about Drake and Ida?” Henry asked.
“I think they make a lovely couple; I’ve watched them. Drake is as silly for Ida as you were for me.” Mary laughed, hugging Henry to her. He sniggered embarrassed, looking over at Theo, who was grinning at him. Mary had heard their discussion earlier and she agreed. Life was too short to live on someone else’s terms.
“I think in a few years, Drake will be ready for marriage, Ida will wait, she has been waiting for quite a few years now.” Mary continued. Both men agreed. Henry pulled Mary around and drew her onto his lap, rubbing her back as he watched the children play. It was early autumn and the cool breeze felt good. The house was opened up, letting the crisp air wind its way through the rooms.
“I’ve been thinking long and hard on this, I want to give Lil Theo some land that abuts the fields. It has sat fallow and overgrown for the past twenty-five years. We have no need for it and I would like for Lil Theo to have it for his family, when he grows to manhood. Victor has his cabinetry and will make a good life for himself. Ida, she’ll have Drake and this farm. Rachel, she’ll be going to Europe next spring, to study art, and perhaps to find a husband. Lil Theo loves this land as much as Drake and I and it would please me to pass it on to him.”
Mary and Henry were stunned, they stared at Theo, speechless for some moments. Mary’s honey brown eyes filled with tears of gratitude. She got up from Henry’s lap and went to Theo, wrapping her arms around him, holding him tightly. Theo flushed with modest pleasure, grinning over to Henry. Mary thought that this was one of the best days of her life.
Dusk descended on the yard, but everyone was reluctant to go inside. It was pleasant and peaceful on the porch so everyone remained. Rachel came out of the house; it had grown too dark for her to draw. She curled up in her father’s lap, wrapping her arms around his neck. She had grown into a lovely young woman and at age fourteen, gave hint to the beauty she would one day become. She took after her sire in coloring, but took after her mother in structure.
Rachel’s hair had darkened to a chestnut brown, her eyes large and deep brown. Her mouth was full and pouty, and Theo knew he would have to guard his daughter. Several of the local swains had paid unofficial visits. Rachel had shown no interest in any of the young men. Her focus solely on her art. Theo wondered how he was ever going to send her away to Europe and said so.
“How can I send you to Europe? I don’t think I can live without you here. I think I’ll miss you too much.”
“I don’t want to leave, daddy; I want to stay here with you.” Rachel said, fear curling into her voice. She was terrified of leaving home, she loved the farm and loved the people on it.
“Theo, why don’t you send for a teacher? Have them come here to teach her?”
“I’ll think about it. I just think there is so much out there that she could learn from.” He said, nibbling at his lower lip. The cost would be more reasonable and he would have his daughter near. Encouraged by the idea, Rachel hugged her father.
“That’s a great idea daddy.” She said, hugging his neck, causing Theo to laugh.
“Alright, let me think on it. Perhaps I’ll send out advertisements for a tutor.”
Rachel hugged him once more and got up and disappeared into the house. Perhaps he could send her to an artist closer to home? Theo didn’t want to get her hopes up, nor did he want her to go away. He would contact one of his old schoolmates in Pennsylvania, perhaps he knew of someone.
It was late fall of 1878 when word came from Theo’s old classmate, Miller Dent. Miller had found a teacher willing to tutor Rachel. Rachel was thrilled by the prospects of advanced art lessons as well as remaining home. Theo was surprised when a young man showed up at his farm in early December, his name was Joshua Clement, he had just returned several months earlier from a stint in Paris and Rome, where he had apprenticed under several prominent artists.
Joshua had come back to the United States in hopes for a position at a prestigious college. However, to his dismay, because he was so young, the stodgy administrations didn’t want to hire him. He was left to earn a living giving lessons. Teaching appointments were difficult to obtain, many wanted lists of references. Joshua was an orphan which also worked against him. At twenty-eight, Joshua was living hand to mouth.
Joshua arrived at the farm, hat in hand, with little else but art supplies. Theo looked the young man up and down, taking in his shabby clothes and gaunt frame. Joshua was tall, but rail thin with a shock of bright red hair and freckles. Theo thought that should the young man not have the pack on his back, a good gust of wind would have knock him over.
Joshua was ushered into the study to speak with Theo, Mary closing the doors to give them privacy. Mary shook her head, there’s nothing to the young man, she thought. She had heard the term starving artist, but this went beyond that. The freckles on Mr. Clement’s face were the only color there. His skin was almost transparent, so pale was he. He had
